What can you use your HAL supplied OBC for

[Wastegirl]

For our cruise next year we have a total of $450 OBC supplied by HAL ($300 for the Explore 4, plus our return guest $150). My question is, can I use this to cover my Gratuities and Laundry or are these OBC's only supplied for extra spending, eg bar bill, shopping.

 

This leads to my next question, I like to stock up our On Board Account prior to departure so we don't have a shock at the end. Last cruise I actually had money returned to my Mastercard account because we did not spend it all. If you have HAL supplied OBC, is all of it used for your final bill or do they use up the OBC you have put into your account first, then start deducting from their contribution?

[LVSue]

I've never seen Exploe4 expressed in OBC, so I don't know about that, but your other OBC will be applied against the service charge.

[Crew News]

OBC is subtracted from your final cruise bill which means that anything you have charged on your room credit card will be the amount from which the OBC is deducted.

 

This means: hotel daily service charges (crew gratuities), bar tab, excursions booked onboard, Specialty Restaurant charges booked on board, internet charges, ships stores purchases, etc.

 

I have received credit on my credit card when my final bill was not large enough to cover the OBC.

[OlsSalt]

Don't forget salon services for your OBC: pedicures, manicures hair highlighting are fun to fit into your cruise schedule during down time.

[KirkNC]

Just think of it as a credit against your final bill.

[Krazy Kruizers]

For our cruise next year we have a total of $450 OBC supplied by HAL ($300 for the Explore 4, plus our return guest $150). My question is, can I use this to cover my Gratuities and Laundry or are these OBC's only supplied for extra spending, eg bar bill, shopping.

 

This leads to my next question, I like to stock up our On Board Account prior to departure so we don't have a shock at the end. Last cruise I actually had money returned to my Mastercard account because we did not spend it all. If you have HAL supplied OBC, is all of it used for your final bill or do they use up the OBC you have put into your account first, then start deducting from their contribution?

 

Well over 700 days and have never gotten a Return Guest shipboard credit.

Great that you got one.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That shipboard credit will go quickly.

For starters, each evening the Hotel Service charge will be deducted from that $450. $11.50 or $12 (depending on your cabin category) per day per person is the amount of the Hotel Service Charge.

Anything else you charge to your account will also be subtracted from that $50.

Only exception is the Casino -- you can not use any onboard credits there.

[kazu]

That shipboard credit will go quickly.

For starters, each evening the Hotel Service charge will be deducted from that $450. $11.50 or $12 (depending on your cabin category) per day per person is the amount of the Hotel Service Charge.

Anything else you charge to your account will also be subtracted from that $50.

Only exception is the Casino -- you can not use any onboard credits there.

 

I used them in the casino - obc's are just credited to your account. So, when you charge to your key card and to your room, you are in effect using obc if you have it. Many of us have used it in the past to get cash if we had too much obc:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Interesting -- many people here have said that you couldn't use it in the Casino.

We don't gamble.

And never have any shipboard credit left at the end of the cruise.

Thanks

[kazu]

Interesting -- many people here have said that you couldn't use it in the Casino.

We don't gamble.

And never have any shipboard credit left at the end of the cruise.

Thanks

 

I don't think there is any way to differentiate when you charge it to your room. At least, I have never had a problem. Usually I use up all my obc +, however, if I am low on cash for additional tips, whatever, I have used the casino for that purposed. Most times though, I am gambling:o

[jtl513]

If you have HAL supplied OBC, is all of it used for your final bill or do they use up the OBC you have put into your account first, then start deducting from their contribution?

I have heard people say that the gift OBCs are used before the purchased, but as kazu just said I don't know how they can differentiate at the end. Just think of it as if you purchased it all. (Obviously I have no personal experience of having unused OBC!) Edited August 2, 2013 by jtl513

[LDVinNC]

On our confirmation, it specifically says our OBC may not be used in the casino or for service charges. Never was this way before. Don't know if it is a TA credit or a HAL credit. It's a fairly small amount so will have no problem using it in the spa or shops. Won't need it for drinks because we got the Explore4 without changing anything.

[kazu]

On our confirmation, it specifically says our OBC may not be used in the casino or for service charges. Never was this way before. Don't know if it is a TA credit or a HAL credit. It's a fairly small amount so will have no problem using it in the spa or shops. Won't need it for drinks because we got the Explore4 without changing anything.

 

not disagreeing with you in the least, but unless HAL has improved their accounting.....when you arrive (and do check your statement) you will have your obc's posted - so a credit balance - everything charged gets charged against the credit balance - so, in effect you are using your obc right off the bat.

 

Now, that doesn't mean that their accounting hasn't changed. We haven't been on Hal for 1 and 1/2 months;) and frankly, we always have a balance at the end - the obc we buy and/or may get is just to eliminate the shock of the the bill at the end of the cruise.

 

In any case, unless there are special conditions to the obc, for most of them - if they aren't fully used = you can get a refund back. I'm thinking you won't have any problem using them though;)

[Wastegirl]

Thanks everyone for your answers. Doesn't sound as if HAL supplied OBC is differentiated from self deposited OBC so I should be safe. I just want to avoid that post cruise shock but also don't want to loose the OBC supplied by HAL by them using my funds first and taking back their unused OBC.

 

As Krazy Kruiser stated I wasn't expecting the return cruiser shipboard credit, I didn't even know I had it until I applied for Explore 4 and the lass in Sydney office told me about it. Pleasant surprise. The only reason I can think for getting it was that some weeks ago when we booked I rang them to say when we're also on a cruise this October and I didnt want to wait until then to book our March cruise because the cabins in the area we wanted were nearly all booked, could I claim the $150 FCC, lol it was worth a try but I was told a very definite NO. Maybe they changed their minds.

[Opua Kiwi]

Hi,

I think my question has answered here, but just want to check before I buy any OBC.

We are regular Princess cruisers, but this is our first time on HAL.

 

If I buy my OBC online, will these go towards paying off my daily gratuities ?

 

It takes quite a few NZDs to buy these USDs these days, so just making sure.

Thanks

[sapper1]

Hi,

I think my question has answered here, but just want to check before I buy any OBC.

We are regular Princess cruisers, but this is our first time on HAL.

 

If I buy my OBC online, will these go towards paying off my daily gratuities ?

 

It takes quite a few NZDs to buy these USDs these days, so just making sure.

Thanks

 

Yes they will. Your gratuities are charged daily to your account, just like any other expenses you may incur. They are applied against the credit balance you start out your cruise with.

 

I hear you re the US exchange. We Canucks are faced with the same problem as of the last few months. I prepaid the lion's share of the onboard expenses for our upcoming cruise quite a while ago as I suspected the Loonie was going to drop further against the U.S. dollar. It turned out to be a good decision.

 

I always stop by the front desk the first day or so and check that all the credits are showing on our account.

Edited February 17, 2015 by sapper1

[GeriatricNurse]

Well over 700 days and have never gotten a Return Guest shipboard credit.

Great that you got one.

 

HAL must not like you very much with "well over 700 days" because I received a $50 Return Guest OBC with 'only' 190 days (PLUS a 'free' dinner in the PG)! ;)

Edited February 17, 2015 by GeriatricNurse

[take us away]

We have gotten a return on unused OBC and was told OBC that comes from HAL as a perk or stock credit cannot be refunded and any other OBC, i.e. self-purchased, gift, from TA, etc. can be refunded. They have never differentiated where the OBC came from before but any residual after the HAL-provided OBC was refunded. It is almost like they 'spend' the HAL- provided OBC 1st. HAL is usually not that generous and their perk OBC covers the hotel charge and soda charges.

 

We are also well over 700 days and have never gotten a return guest OBC - sigh.... KK - Maybe we cruise too often??

[casamariposa]

Ask the Front Desk to run you a Statement of Charges midway through the cruise to see how you're doing?

[catl331]

We are also well over 700 days and have never gotten a return guest OBC - sigh.... KK - Maybe we cruise too often??

Maybe they are talking about the code ZPM "welcome back" email that gives OBC for booking a new cruise within 60 days after completing one. We get that every time we haven't booked one on board.

[cruz chic]

:rolleyes:

HAL must not like you very much with "well over 700 days" because I received a $50 Return Guest OBC with 'only' 190 days (PLUS a 'free' dinner in the PG)! ;)

 

Anyone can get this. You simply have to ask when booking once you have returned home from a cruise:rolleyes:.

Edited February 17, 2015 by cruz chic

[serendipity1499]

On our confirmation, it specifically says our OBC may not be used in the casino or for service charges. Never was this way before. Don't know if it is a TA credit or a HAL credit. It's a fairly small amount so will have no problem using it in the spa or shops. Won't need it for drinks because we got the Explore4 without changing anything.

 

It has always said that but we have never had a problem using up our OBC as they have given it to us against the Hotel service charge, & all our purchases..

 

Maybe they are talking about the code ZPM "welcome back" email that gives OBC for booking a new cruise within 60 days after completing one. We get that every time we haven't booked one on board.

 

We get the same e-mail within a week of our departure from a cruise..

 

We've never had a zero balance on our Cabin..Maybe we just spend more on board..I do use the beauty parlor & also get my nails done & we often purchase coffee in the Explorers lounge & have wine at dinner..

Edited February 17, 2015 by serendipity1499

[Oceanwench]

We've gotten off two cruises without a bill - and had $$$ posted back to our credit card.

 

And we gambled ... so ... :)

[GeriatricNurse]

HAL must not like you very much with "well over 700 days" because I received a $50 Return Guest OBC with 'only' 190 days (PLUS a 'free' dinner in the PG)! ;)

 

:rolleyes:

 

Anyone can get this. You simply have to ask when booking once you have returned home from a cruise:rolleyes:.

 

Really! Well the things I have yet to learn, I guess! :rolleyes: And thank you very much for your sarcastic smile!!! ;)